Shohei Ohtani Shifts Up To No. 2 Spot In Monday’s Lineup

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani will bat second Monday against the Astros and left-hander Framber Valdez, marking the first time since 2018 that he will start a game batting in the No. 2 hole. Ohtani snapped out of a recent funk Sunday, cranking his fifth homer of the year. While he may see […]

Jonah Heim Gets Callup, Not In Lineup Monday

Oakland Athletics catcher Jonah Heim earned his first Major League callup Monday, with Austin Allen being demoted in his place. Heim, Oakland’s No. 11 prospect per MLB Pipeline, grades out excellently behind the plate, but manager Bob Melvin also made it clear that the switch hitter would see the vast majority of starts against right-handed […]

Kevin Kiermaier Departs Monday’s Contest Early

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier was forced to exit from Monday’s contest against the Blue Jays due to discomfort in his right foot after he was hit by a pitch. Kiermaier looked to have taken the pitch flush on his lower leg, so it’s not entirely surprising that Tampa Bay is being cautious. Manuel […]

Robinson Chirinos Activated Off IL, Starts At DH Monday

Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos rejoined the active roster Monday, getting immediately inserted into the starting nine at the DH slot against A’s left-hander Jesus Luzardo. Chirinos has been out of the mix since Aug. 10 due to a sprained right ankle, allowing Jose Trevino and Jeff Mathis to hold down catching duties. Both figure […]

Robert Stephenson Gets Reinstated From IL Monday

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Robert Stephenson rejoined the club’s active roster prior to Monday’s contest against Milwaukee. Stephenson had been sidelined since July 28 due to a mid-back strain, having appeared just once all season. The Cincinnati relief corps can use all the reinforcements that it can get, having amassed a 5.59 ERA through its […]

Joey Gallo Out Of Monday’s Lineup

Texas Rangers outfielder/designated hitter Joey Gallo is not among the club’s starting nine for Monday’s contest against Oakland and left-handed Jesus Luzardo. The move appears to be just a regular day off for Gallo, even though he has mashed southpaws this season to the tune of a .907 OPS with five home runs in 37 […]

Justin Verlander Tosses 20 Pitches In Rehab Effort

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander threw 20 pitches Sunday and came out of the session feeling good, per manager Dusty Baker. Verlander is currently attempting to work his way back from a right forearm strain that has kept him out since Opening Day. There is still no guarantee that Verlander makes it back to […]

Leody Taveras Called Up Monday, Set To Hit Leadoff

Texas Rangers outfielder Leody Taveras was summoned from the alternate training site ahead of Monday’s game against Oakland and left-hander Jesus Luzardo. Taveras, a 21-year-old switch-hitter, is ranked as the Rangers’ No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline. His best tool grades out as his glove, but he also has above-average ratings on his running ability. […]

Corey Dickerson Back In Lineup Monday, Bats Cleanup

Miami Marlins outfielder Corey Dickerson returned to the starting nine for Monday’s contest against Washington and right-hander Austin Voth after having departed early Sunday due to a shoulder ailment. Dickerson socked his third home run of the year Sunday, having gone deep in back-to-back games, while maintaining an eight-game hitting streak. With a full slate […]

Jose Quintana To Operate Out Of Bullpen Starting Tuesday

Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana will be shifting to the bullpen for the time being as soon as Tuesday behind starter Tyler Chatwood against Detroit. Quintana has not yet appeared in 2020 due to a thumb injury, while Chatwood will be making his return off of the injured list. With the Cubs having a […]

Astros-Angels Thursday Contest Shifted To Tuesday

The Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels have had their game scheduled for Thursday moved up to Tuesday due to concerns surrounding Tropical Storm Laura, which is headed for Texas. Instead of a full nine-inning game Thursday, the two teams will now play two seven-inning doubleheader contests Tuesday. Jose Suarez and Cristian Javier are set […]

DraftKings Daily Fantasy Basketball Picks (8/24/20): NBA DFS Lineups

Will Tuesday be the final time that DFS owners get a four-game slate in 2019-20? That remains to be seen, but if it’s the last trip around the sun, let’s dance in it, shall we? The Bucks and the Magic have pole vaulted themselves into the highest projected spread of the night, which is due […]

Anthony Rizzo Remains On-Base Savant In 2020

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has always been adept at drawing walks, but through the early part of the 2020 season, he is on pace for a career-best 15.7% BB rate. His .375 on-base percentage through his first 27 games is in line with his career total (.373), but his lack of extra-base power […]

Tyler Clippard Avoids Serious Injury But Will Miss Time

Minnesota Twins right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard was struck on the right arm by a line drive during Sunday’s contest against the Royals. While postgame imaging did not reveal any major injuries, manager Rocco Baldelli did not sound optimistic about Clippard pitching anytime soon. The veteran righty picked up the win Sunday and lowered his ERA […]

Richard Rodriguez Earns First Save Of Season Sunday

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Richard Rodriguez picked up his first save of the season Sunday against Milwaukee. The save was both just the second of his career, as well as the second all year for Pittsburgh. With Keone Kela (forearm) currently sidelined, Rodriguez appears to have taken the reins on the closer’s role for the […]

Marcell Ozuna Continues To Hammer Ball With Braves

Atlanta Braves outfielder/designated hitter Marcell Ozuna has continued his excellent production in the hard hit department during 2020. Ozuna has amassed a 49.3 Hard Hit %, which ranks him the top nine percentile in the Majors. His Statcast metrics fall right in line with his career averages, while many -- such as his xSLG, which […]

Howie Kendrick Begins To Heat Up As Season Progresses

Washington Nationals first baseman/designated hitter Howie Kendrick has reeled off RBIs in four consecutive contests, building a case for season-long ownership. Serving as the Nats’ primary DH, Kendrick has taken a while to heat up in 2020, but he has largely been affected by some poor luck. Kendrick’s .324 xBA ranks among the top five […]

Max Fried Developing Into Top Tier Fantasy Asset In 2020

Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Max Fried has stepped into his potential thus far in 2020, having compiled a sparkling 1.32 ERA through his first six starts. Even with batters trying to launch home runs with an increased frequency around the league, Fried is yet to allow a long ball in his first 34 innings. The […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Takes BP Sunday, Return Tuesday Possible

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. again took batting practice prior to Sunday’s contest against Philadelphia, a strong indicator that he is nearing a return from the injured list. Acuna, who is battling wrist soreness, has not played since Aug. 10. Prior to hitting the IL, the MVP contender had begun to heat up offensively […]

Colin Moran, Kevin Newman Both Exit Sunday’s Game Early

Pittsburgh Pirates first/third baseman Colin Moran and shortstop Kevin Newman have both been removed from Sunday’s contest against Milwaukee early due to undisclosed reasons. While the club did not immediately release why they departed, Moran was involved in a collision earlier in the game and Newman appeared to have some discomfort following an at-bat. Jose […]

Aaron Nola Emerging Into Elite Strikeout Commodity

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitcher Aaron Nola has seen his strikeout totals increase each year of his big league career. While that won’t happen in 2020, Nola has spiked his K/9 ratio all the way up to 12.4 through his first five starts. Opposing batters are hitting nothing that he throws with consistency well -- his […]

Corey Dickerson Exits Sunday’s Contest Early

Miami Marlins outfielder Corey Dickerson departed Sunday’s game against the Nationals early due to a left shoulder contusion that he sustained chasing a foul ball earlier in the contest. Prior to his exit, Dickerson socked his third home run of the season, bringing his OPS on the year up to .730. Dickerson has begun to […]

Matt Harvey Tabbed To Start Tuesday Against St. Louis

Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Matt Harvey will get another turn through the rotation Tuesday against the Cardinals, his second start of the year. Harvey’s first outing came against the Reds, where he yielded three runs in three frames while striking out four. His fastball averaged 93.5 MPH his first time out, but he was […]

Matthew Liberatore Works Sim Game Against Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore was brought in to throw a simulated game in order to help Paul DeJong and Yadier Molina ramp up for big league pitching. Ranked as the Cardinals’ No. 3 prospect -- and No. 62 overall in the Majors -- per MLB Pipeline, Liberatore is yet to make […]

Cristian Pache Absent From Sunday’s Lineup

Atlanta Braves outfielder Cristian Pache is not among the club’s starting nine Sunday against Philadelphia and right-hander Zach Eflin. Even with Ronald Acuna Jr. (wrist) sidelined, Pache hasn’t found an everyday role in the Atlanta outfield as Nick Markakis has rejoined the mix. Pache has gone just 1-for-4 at the plate since his call up, […]

Daniel Robertson Acquired By Giants, Heads To Training Site

Infielder Daniel Robertson was acquired by the San Francisco Giants after having been designated for assignment by Tampa Bay. Robertson, who has not yet appeared at the big league level this season, will report the club’s alternate training site. Used all over the infield during his tenure with the Rays from 2017-19, Robertson compiled a […]

Luis Torrens Draws Second Consecutive Start Sunday

San Diego Padres catcher Luis Torrens will be behind the dish Sunday catching Adrian Morejon against Houston. Torrens has now started back-to-back contests, with Austin Hedges sitting as he remains in an early season offensive malaise (.152/.220/.348). Yet to show much offensively at the Major League level, Torrens isn’t so much a fantasy asset as […]

Chris Taylor Shifts Up Lineup Card, Bats Third Sunday

Los Angeles Dodgers utilityman Chris Taylor will bat third Sunday against the Rockies and right-hander Antonio Senzatela, the first time that he holds that spot in the lineup this season. Taylor homered during Saturday’s contest, which when combined with his position in the order makes for him to be an intriguing DFS selection. In spite […]

Trent Thornton Departs Sunday’s Start Early With Apparent Injury

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitcher Trent Thornton was only expected to work two or three innings Sunday against Tampa Bay, but he ultimately went just one and was seen grabbing his right forearm after departing. The Blue Jays’ starting rotation has been hit hard by injuries with Matt Shoemaker (shoulder) and Nate Pearson (elbow) already […]

Aaron Judge Takes At-Bats Sunday, Expected Back Tuesday

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge faced left-handers Jordan Montgomery and J.A. Happ on Sunday, giving him live at-bats ahead of Tuesday, when he is expected to be activated off the injured list to join the club’s starting lineup. Judge (calves) has been open about having felt well enough to well for most of his […]